Stage TEN, changio, SlimCut Media, PerceptivSHIFT, MBLOK and Tunestars join the four-month accelerator program, with Vubble and One Story accepted as affiliate companies

Toronto, November 6, 2014 – The Canadian Film Centre (CFC), together with Corus Entertainment and Shaw Media, announced today the six companies selected to participate in the fourth cohort of ideaBOOST, Canada’s only digital entertainment accelerator for companies focused on developing technologies and content platforms for the media and entertainment industry.

Set to begin on Monday, November 10, 2014, ideaBOOST cohort four received a record number of submissions from companies all over Canada. A panel of industry jurors reviewed and ranked the companies and narrowed the number of entrants down to 11 finalists.

“The breadth of companies we selected to be a part of the ideaBOOST portfolio speaks volumes about the talent and innovation that Canadians are bringing to the global digital entertainment industry,” said Ana Serrano, Chief Digital Officer, CFC. “From robotic computer vision hardware solutions, to real time cloud-based production platforms for next generation news, these companies will redefine how we make, store, pay for and discover media and entertainment in the next decade.”

ideaBOOST identifies the most promising companies that are developing next-generation technologies and products for the entertainment industry, and provides the support necessary for them to scale or become market- or investor-ready in today’s competitive media market. Through an intensive four-month program, ideaBOOST offers entrepreneurs access to global mentorship and valuable insights in product development, audience acquisition, financial modeling, pitch and packaging, $15,000 in capital, and the potential for direct investments from Corus Entertainment and Shaw Media, among other investors. Graduating companies are considered eligible to join the ideaBOOST Portfolio program, which provides further opportunities for the startups to secure corporate partnerships or equity investment.

The fall 2014 ideaBOOST cohort is comprised of the following companies, selected out of a record number of applicants:

1. Stage TEN: a platform to create professional, live and interactive content; it is a TV control room web app that can preview, switch and mix live video feeds from any web-connected camera with pre-produced segments.

2. changio: the first next-generation coalition virtual currency media rewards program that has been created with in-store, second screen, on-the-go, social, location-aware, mobile technologies.

3. SlimCut Media: a platform for publishers to engage, better understand, and monetize their audiences.

4. PerceptivSHIFT: the SHIFT is a vision-guided camera motion control system to enable dynamic cinematography.

5. MBLOK: a smart memory device that aims to personalize VPN and Cloud for offline access.

6. Tune Stars: a game-changing new music app that is lined up to disrupt the way fans, artists and the industry connect online for music.

Out of the 11 companies shortlisted, two will also join ideaBOOST as affiliate companies who will receive support and mentorship to prepare them to potentially become full-fledged participants in the next ideaBOOST cohort. These two companies are:

1. Vubble: a unique discovery platform that brings users the best video they need to see now and shows them video they didn’t know they needed to see.

Since its inception in 2012, ideaBOOST has accepted 19 early-stage startups and SMEs into their portfolio, including Bubl Technology, the creators of the Bublcam – the only fully spherical consumer camera in the world, whose current collaboration with Google allows anyone with a Bublcam to upload spherical photos directly to Google Maps, StreetView and Google+; ApprenticeA Productions, the largest online video production company in Canada with more than 280,880 subscribers on their network, and the founders of Canada’s first YouTube festival Buffer Festival; AsapSCIENCE, a leading YouTube channel with more than 2,800,000 subscribers, who partnered with the CBC last winter for a series of Olympic-related shorts, and plan to release an AsapSCIENCE book in March (Simon and Shuster, 2014); and RAUR by Instaradio, an app to live stream and record audio from a mobile phone, which has received two rounds of seed funding from three investors to date; among many other successful companies.

Through the generous support of founding partners Corus Entertainment and Shaw Media, ideaBOOST has provided these 19 participants with $15,000 towards development costs, $15,000 of in-kind services and key program benefits, such as access to top mentors in the digital entertainment industry, hands-on support to build customized business strategies, the necessary tools to engage the market and pitching tips on how to attract angel and institutional investments.

About CFCCFC accelerates the careers of the brightest talent in film, television, screen acting, music, and digital media. A charitable organization, CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada’s diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities, and fostering industry collaborations and creative partnerships. CFC makes a significant cultural and economic contribution to Canada by launching the country’s most creative ideas and voices to the world. For more details, visit cfccreates.com.

About CFC Media LabCreated in 1997, the Canadian Film Centre’s Media Lab (CFC Media Lab) provides a unique training, research and production think-tank environment for digital media content developers, and practitioners, as well as acceleration programs and services for start-ups and SMEs in digital entertainment. An internationally acclaimed and award-winning facility, CFC Media Lab participating developers and start-ups emerge as leaders in the world of digital media, produce innovative projects, and sustain 21st century companies. www.cfccreates.com.

About ideaBOOSTideaBOOST is a business accelerator with a difference – a bootcamp for companies that want to navigate an entertainment ecosystem that has been radically disrupted by new technologies and demanding audience expectations. Companies selected to participate in ideaBOOST get the budget, tools, training, and mentorship designed to help bring their product to market and improve their chances of success with audiences, investors, and partners. ideaBOOST is an initiative of the CFC Media Lab, with founding partners Corus Entertainment, Google and Shaw Media. www.ideaboost.ca

What do a vision-guided camera motion control system, a personalized learning channel for children, and a platform for professional, live interactive content have in common? They are among the eleven digital entertainment products that have been shortlisted for cohort 4 of ideaBOOST, the CFC’s next-gen business accelerator.

Our panel of industry jurors have reviewed and ranked the record-number of submissions we received this time around, and have arrived at a list of eleven shortlisted nominations, described below.

The final round of judging will wrap up on November 3 rd, 2014 with six finalists green-lit to participate in Canada’s top digital entertainment accelerator.

The SHIFT is a vision guided camera motion control system to enable dynamic cinematography.

Perceptiv Labs are bringing the capabilities of computer vision and robotics to cinematography. Their first product is a vision-guided subject tracking module that will interface with existing motorized gimbals and drones.

2. changio

A performance-based new media coalition rewards program.

changio is the first next-generation coalition virtual currency media rewards program that has been created with in-store, second screen, on-the-go, social, location-aware, mobile technologies. It has been designed to connect, inspire and reward consumers for engaging with their favourite brands (CPG and Retailers) and Content (TV and/or Movies); to drive impulse purchases, ongoing engagement and loyalty.

3. Kidobi

A personalized learning channel for every child.

Kidobi is a website and mobile application that creates a personalized learning channel for every child. It allows parents of preschoolers a guilt-free break by delivering the right content, to the right child, at the right time. You can think of it like Pandora meets Khan Academy on Sesame Street.

4. MBLOK

Smart Memory for Smart Devices.

MBLOK is developing a smart memory device that aims to personalize VPN and Cloud for offline access.

It not only eliminates the need for internet, but replaces multiple storage devices with one. VPN or cloud files are automatically backed up on MBLOK for quick access. View files on all of your devices wirelessly whether it is Blackberry smartphone, iPad tablet or a PC. Never worry about bad internet connection ever again.

5. OneStory

A platform to create and share video interviews.

There is nothing more powerful than a story to inspire or educate. Online video is our modern form of storytelling. OneStory allows you to ask a question and receive beautiful mini-documentary responses in return – with no editing for the user.

6. receiver

Save, Playlist and Discover Music and Video from any streaming service.

One library for user’s favourite content regardless of the streaming service it’s from.

7. SlimCut Media

SlimCut is a platform for publishers to engage, better understand, and monetize their audiences.

SlimCut Media offers a solution by drawing readers to a site through a loyalty program that offers free content in exchange for watching advertisements. By rewarding reader engagement, the platform increases website metrics, drives advertising revenue and boosts direct payment.

8. Stage TEN

Platform for professional, live interactive content.

Stage TEN is a platform to create professional, live and interactive content. It’s a TV control room web app that can preview, switch and mix live video feeds from any web-connected camera with pre-produced segments.

9. Vubble

Video you need to see now – and what you didn’t know you needed to see.

VUBBLE is next generation public media. It is a unique discovery platform that brings you the best video you need to see now and shows you video you didn’t know you needed to see. It employs and disrupts algorithm technology, using it to produce personalized, compelling content experiences and disrupting it by putting algorithmic technology in reverse to surface content beyond a user’s familiar feed.

10. Wriber

Software that helps companies and agencies create content more effectively.

Wriber is a software platform that makes it easy to create awesome content. As you type, Wriber shows you how to expand and tweak your content through intelligent suggestions, all dynamically generated in real-time. With Wriber, you can write original content up to 50% faster, be more engaging and targeted for your audiences, all while staying on brand.

“ideaBOOST has helped us navigate the entertainment and technology startup market, sharpen our product vision, and refine our strategies to target audiences and generate revenue,” said Sean Ramsay, Founder and CEO, Bublcam. “With support from some of the best minds in the digital entertainment industry, we are now positioned to get our 360-degree camera into key markets and in the hands of users across the globe.”

The evening was hosted once again by the always on-point Jian Ghomeshi, host and co-creator of the national daily talk show, Q, on CBC Radio One and CBC Television. More than three hundred attendees were on-hand to watch ideaBOOST cohort 3 companies pitch their latest products in search for brand partnerships or investment opportunities.

The six products presented at ideaBOOST Launch Pad included the following:

1. Bublcam (Created by Bubl Technology)

Bublcam is a 360° spherical camera, which captures panoramic video and stream it live online. It allows users the opportunity to experience the world and capture memories like never before. Showing off its street cred as being the latest in camera technology, the Bublcam also has the ability to stream in 3D via the Oculus Rift. Bublcam is set to soon explode onto the market as they are about to launch their beta program in collaboration with a roster of corporate partners.

2. L.A.R.G.E. (Created by Albedo Informatics)

L.A.R.G.E. is a toolkit, which enables you to create location-based projects or games enhanced with augmented reality (AR). Use your smartphone to shoot spaceships in your neighbourhood or even walk with dinosaurs in the park! Albedo Informatics is looking for partnerships to help them use L.A.R.G.E. in creative ways.

3. RadioMogul (Created by Mediazoic)

RadioMogul is an easy do-it-yourself tool for building your own branded radio station. Mediazoic helps you tackle the two biggest obstacles in building an online radio presence: A cross-platform compatible platform and legal music licensing. RadioMogul lets brands tap into the emotional connections people form with music, which has been proven to effectively facilitate brand engagement amongst consumers.

Think Dirty is an app which help users shop clean by making reading cosmetic and personal care product labels easy. The app clearly lays out all of the product’s ingredients, whilst indicating which are dangerous to your health. Founder Lily Tse states that “transparency is the new currency in marketing” and Think Dirty endeavours to keep it that way for consumers in the future.

5. uMentioned (Created by uMentioned)

uMentioned is an anonymous photo messaging app, which helps students stay in-the-know and connected with their campus on a personal level. While competitors such as Yik Yak and Whisper are vulnerable to being used as a tool for online bullying, Founder Ade Labinjo took the unique step of specifically cultivating a safe and positive community in uMentioned. Users are free to express themselves without the fear of rejection and are unable to use the platform to attack others.

The Incredible Tales of Weirdwood Manor is a unique interactive experience that is part book, part game, and part animated film that will soon be available on the iPad. This series offers all of the elements for it to become a major hit: A robot butler, a Harry Potter-esque epic fantasy story, challenging puzzles to exercise the child’s mind and much more.

Stay tuned, as you will be hearing about great things from these companies in the near future!

Apply for ideaBOOST

Are you trying to get your technology start-up off the ground? Have you got a product idea that will revolutionize the digital entertainment space? ideaBOOST is currently accepting applications from companies for the 4th cohort of the program beginning in September 2014.

Receive the tools, training, and mentorship to make your company smarter and faster, plus $15,000 towards development costs and $15,000 of in-kind services. Participants will join a four-month curriculum with core modules, including: business models, product development, customer acquisition, brand management, PR & marketing, legal, and capital strategies. Visit www.ideaboost.ca for more information.

CFC Media Lab is pleased to support this year’s Hot Docs Industry Workshops series on May 1st & 2nd, 2014. From creating a business model to raising capital through private investment and bringing films to market, these workshops offered crucial insights to assist content producers in making the shift to content entrepreneurs. This 3-part series included sessions on:

ASTOUND Business Model Canvas (BMC): In continued partnership with the ASTOUND Initiative, CFC Media Lab and Hot Docs present the ASTOUND BMC workshop, a highly interactive session on using techniques and tools to identify their unique business model. Canadian Film Centre facilitators, Orla Garriques and Aaron Williamson, walked documentary producers through the creation of a “business model canvas” using the Alexander Osterwalder method, evolved by CFC Media Lab, for the creative content industry.

Seeking Private Investment? A Workshop on the Essentials for Doc Filmmakers: In today’s market, private investment is becoming an increasingly important component of any funding strategy. This workshop, led by advisor Anne Marie Maduri (Maduri + Associates), provides a strategic approach to raising capital. Participants were guided on the key elements required to build a compelling investment story that will help convince investors to support their project or business.

Theatrical On Demand®: Led by Scott Glosserman, Founder/CEO of Gathr, a new hybrid exhibitor /distributor company, this session helped participants develop strategies for a theatrical-on-demand distribution plan, and best practices for activating communities and engaging audiences. Theatrical-on-demand is becoming a viable strategy for an innovative and integrated distribution.

Congratulations to the Hot Docs team on an incredible showcase of documentaries, talent and speakers. For festival highlights visit: http://www.hotdocs.ca.

For more workshops, resources and key entrepreneurial presentations stay tuned to StableTalk.

When developing your company’s PR strategy, Ellyn Winters-Robinson says that you first need to establish your goals. What are you trying to achieve? Do these goals align with your overall marketing strategy? Some potential goals can include attracting investors or talent, showcasing your expertise, or managing conflicts or perceptions around your branding. Your PR strategy should be customized based on your goals. This past Friday, the CFC Media Lab hosted a day-long ideaBOOST Media Training workshop. The day was hosted by Ellyn Winters-Robinson from Ignition PR, a marketing communications and PR firm specializing in the technology sector. Throughout the time we had with her, Ellyn trained ideaBOOST cohort 3 companies on how to develop a well thought-out PR strategy, as well as how to work with media when pitching stories and conducting press interviews. Here is a taste of what she had to say:

In House or PR Agency: When deciding whether to keep PR in-house or outsource it to an external agency, both options have their pros and cons that requires consideration. A pro for keeping PR in-house is that it is often perceived as being more credible than an agency’s PR. However, a con is that in-house PR can have limited reach and resources. On the other hand, a pro for using a PR agency is that it may allow for greater creativity and they generally have a wider reach. A con is the sometimes high cost and agencies can be perceived as being overly aggressive at times.

Build a Storyline: Successful PR strategies leverages an enticing story when approaching media for press. When developing your storyline, consider telling the tale of a hero’s journey such as when an underdog achieves success. One can also look at the following for sources of inspiration: Surveys, the news cycle, being newsworthy yourself or talking to your customers.

Tactics For Getting Press Attention: To get your company’s story and message to market, you can consider the following tactics: Position yourself as a thought leader, write a news release, ask for a product review, pitch a story directly, find press opportunities on HARO and Twitter, promote a product launch, and offer contributed articles or customer stories. Each tactic experiences varying levels of success, depending on a case-by-case basis.

Create a Positioning Statement: When prepping for an interview, create a positioning statement. This is a general statement which provides context for your main message. It functions as a good starting point for an interview and will help your interviewer hook your story into a larger issue or trend.

During the workshop, ideaBOOST participants were also put through faux press interviews on camera. This was to test out and improve their on-camera body language and performance. It took a few attempts, but by the end of the exercise our cohort 3 teams were bonafide experts. When the next interview opportunity arises, they will be ready for their close-ups! Apply for ideaBOOST today!

Are you trying to get your technology start-up off the ground? Have you got a product idea that will revolutionize the digital entertainment space? Then apply for ideaBOOST today!

When launching a new business strategy, Warren Coughlin says the following is something one must keep in mind. Business comes from two broad categories: repeat customers and new customers. Both types will require a different acquisition strategy, as they will have very different needs and expectations. Combining the strategies for the repeat and new customers creates the Y of “Y You Profit”.

This past Tuesday marked the third Entrepreneur Series at the Spoke Club. Each month we invite serial entrepreneurs to join us for an intimate discussion, and to offer up advice on launching and running a successful company.

This month’s entrepreneur was Warren Coughlin, a business coach, consultant, trainer and facilitator. He works with ethical entrepreneurs and mission driven organizations to strategically build businesses that matter: those that make a lot of money while helping make the world a better place.

Throughout the evening Warren outlined key drivers for profitability and holding the right mindset for success. Here is a little bit of what he had to say:

Focus On Profit: When trying to grow your business, focus on profits. A lot of people get excited about big sales numbers. But there are lots of businesses that have seen big sales growth with declining profits. It’s the bottom line that counts.

10 & Then: Coughlin suggests developing a marketing strategy, which includes 10 or more marketing tactics to diversify your efforts. The rationale is that if 3 initiatives fail, you will still have 7 that are effective. However, it is also recommended that if you are a new business, do not attempt to execute all 10 tactics at once. You will just end up overwhelming yourself. Build slowly and measure.

7 Ps of Profit: To achieve profit success the following Ps need to be addressed: A product mix that’s appropriate for you customers’ needs, promotional/marketing efforts, established business processes, people to run said processes, some strategic planning and the entrepreneur’s personal growth. To round it out, these factors must also be supported by the final P, your principles. This will lead to more satisfaction in your life.

Entrepreneur’s Quality of Life: As an entrepreneur, you deserve to live a high quality of life. To do so requires you to intentionally live what he calls a “Top Right Life”, one in which you are both satisfied with your results and engaged in your activities. Living Top Right will allow you to experience personal fulfillment driven by a sense of purpose, ownership, accountability and responsibility. An example of such an entrepreneur is Richard Branson, who is highly engaged with his work and seems to always be having fun in life.

Ultimately, all of this means you have to be intentional about your business and your life. Give up excuses and reasons and focus only on what will produce the results you want. When you do, you realize both the business and the life of your dreams.

Mahubay is a Tagalog greeting used at gatherings and parties, meaning either “Cheers!”, “Welcome” or “May you live.” It’s also the former name of the music venue, Mahubay Gardens, which was the favourite haunt of various punk and new waves bands of the 70s including Blondies, Avengers, Dead Kennedys, Nuns and Crime. Now in 2014, it’s known as Broadway Studios and was the space where we recently spent the evening with a room full of Glass Explorers and Enthusiasts.

The lab is an extension of the CFC’s digital entertainment accelerator, ideaBOOST and provided companies with the budget, mentorship, and tools designed to help bring their ”smart-glass” ideas to life, including early access to Mind Pirate’s wearable technology platform, Callisto.

The evening was hosted expertly by Drew Baldwin, Glass Explorer and Founder of Tubefilter, the leading authority on the online video industry, YouTube and web series. He faced an audience made up of an eclectic mix of Glass Explorers, Glass enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, technology investors and developers.

The apps, which range from immersive gameplay controlled by the nod of a head to real time video and photo effects, were all available for demos and downloading onsite. Guests were also treated to an on stage video preview of each glassware, including Mind Pirate’s very own Global Food Fight.

Apps created by the participants in the ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab (and available for download) include:

A to B: Chase Yourself
A to B is glassware that allows you to record routes during any activity, from running to skateboarding. You are then able to race against these recorded routes to challenge yourself.
Created by Normative.DOWNLOAD.

Little Bandits
Little Bandits Glass is a turn-based duelling game for two players. Each player chooses two moves per turn, then watches the duel play out. Will you aim, shoot, or try to dodge? Pick your moves and out-maneuver your opponent!
Created by Little Guy Games.DOWNLOAD.

SHARD
Let SHARD on Google Glass reveal a whole new world. SHARD applies live filters to the world around you, changing the video feed you see with real time effects YOU control. Switch between JJ Abrams inspired lens flares to kaleidoscopic imagery. Move around, play with the effects, capture your creation in a SHARD photo saved on your timeline, and share your masterpiece with others. SHARD — play with the world you capture.
Created by CFC Media Lab.DOWNLOAD.

State of Syn: Singularity
State of Syn: Singularity is an adrenaline pumping hybrid story/action-puzzle game that propels the user into the heart of the action as a powerful hacker fighting to save the lives of an elite team of covert freedom fighters. This unique experience is made possible by combining video playback, cinematic sound design, direct to user messaging delivered by the story’s lead character and head-gesture game control to trigger in-game events, story reveals and real-time action-strategy gaming.
Created by Smokebomb Entertainment.DOWNLOAD.

During the evening we also showcased Mind Pirate’s Google Glassware and most epicly ridiculously fun game, Global Food Fight. This is a free-to-play massively-multiplayer, location-based 3D action game that allows players to engage in food fights with friends, foes, celebrities and politicians from around the world. This app was the first game created on Mind Pirate’s Callisto platform and is now available for download here.

We congratulate all participants for successfully completing the ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab. To learn more about the program and download the apps, please visit: www.ideaboost.ca/mindpirate

As an entrepreneur you should be prepared to work more that you ever have in your life. If not, then put simply: entrepreneurship is not for you. Instead, Erica Ehm suggests try being an ‘intrapreneur’, why not work for an entrepreneur rather than take on the daily grind yourself.

Earlier this week, the CFC Media Lab hosted its second Entrepreneurship Series at the Spoke Club. Each month we invite serial entrepreneurs to join us for an intimate discussion, and to offer up advice on launching and running a successful company.

This month’s entrepreneur is Erica Ehm, Creator and Publisher of YummyMummyClub.ca (YMC) – the online destination for modern moms looking for adult stimulation. Thousands of women have become devoted members of YMC, and Erica has become the passionate voice of a whole new generation of moms. She is one of Canada’s most recognized personalities, having started her career in the mid-80’s as the voice of her generation on MuchMusic.

The main theme of the evening was the importance of loyalty and treating people well (employees, partners and audiences). As the saying goes: You reap what you sow.

Here is a taste of the insights Erica had to offer at the event:

Social Media As Conversation Tool: When on a social media platform such as Twitter, don’t forget to give and take. It should be used for creating a meaningful conversation between you and your audience. If you ask a question, be present to receive and respond to answers. You’ll have a much better user engagement if you yourself are engaged with them in return.

Don’t Sell Out: When talking to brands as potential clients, don’t compromise your company values. Your audience will have certain expectations of you and will not react well if you trade on them for sponsorship dollars. Don’t be afraid to push back on your clients as you have the strongest understanding of what they will respond to and it’s in the client’s best interest.

Treat Staff Like Gold: If you want to retain good talent, treat them like gold. Make them feel like an important part of the company. This will build a sense of loyalty in the individual towards both the company and their employer.

While Erica’s practices have served her well and leant to her current success as an entrepreneur, it should be noted that entrepreneurial success can also be attributed to good timing. In Erica’s case, she was online and on Twitter before her competitors, and happily found all the other Yummy Mummy’s looking to share advice on motherhood.

At this event, the CFC Media Lab unveiled SHARD, the new app created for the ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab. Designed for Google Glass, this applications applies live photo filters which plays with your perception of light and reality.

Our Glass roving teams spent the evening taking photos of party guests, live-filtering their image and posting it online for all to see. SHARD was a huge hit!

If you’re interested in trying out this app for yourself, on March 27th we will be launching six apps, including SHARD, from the ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab in San Francisco. Stay tuned, as more details about how to access the app will be shared in thefuture .

About SHARD
Let SHARD on Google Glass reveal a whole new world. SHARD applies live filters to the world around you, changing the video feed you see with real time effects YOU control. Switch between JJ Abrams inspired lens flares to kaleidoscopic imagery. Move around, play with the effects, capture your creation in a SHARD photo saved on your timeline, and share your masterpiece with others. SHARD — play with the world you capture.

About ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab
This is a 3-month bootcamp for developers and companies that want to navigate the incredible potential of games on the next consumer mega trend of wearable technology. Created in part by the CFC Media Lab and Silicon Valley-based Mind Pirate, the ideaBOOST/Mind Pirate Production Lab marks the first-ever program focused on developing games and consumer apps for the emerging smart glass consumer market.

Why should be the central story around which you craft your pitch. Agencies need to understand why they (or most importantly their clients) will benefit from your product. This means advance preparation from any entrepreneur on the look out for agency buy-in. Know their clients and know how you can enhance their business!

The Press Is Not Your Audience: When developing your product, focus on building an audience with your consumer base first, and only after then the press. Journalists will not write about you if you don’t have existing traction within a market.

Choose the Right Platforms: Not all social media platforms are the best use of your time and resources. When developing your online strategy, consider what social media tools will be the most efficient and effective way to reach your audience. Are there too many layers between you and your market? Is your identified target market residing on the platform at all?

Avoid Corners: When presenting yourself to a creative or media agency, don’t describe yourself and your capabilities too rigidly. This will only result in you painting yourself into a corner. Agencies will have a too defined perception of you, resulting in them thinking you are only useful for a certain type of task. This closes you off from other potential opportunities.

Don’t Forget THEIR Needs (THE CLIENTS): Creative and media agencies are the gatekeepers to a world of brands and partnership opportunities. If you want them to introduce you to their clients, demonstrate how you will bring them value. How will you assist the agencies in meeting their goals? How will you help the brands engage with their audience?

Wish your company or project had access to the same opportunities as ideaBOOST companies? Well, you’re in luck. In the next few weeks, we will be opening up applications for participation in the 4th cohort of ideaBOOST. Stay tuned as we release more details in the near future. In the meantime, visit us at www.ideaboost.ca.